Allergies and babies: New website to educate parents how and when to introduce foods

Sarah Wiedersehn

Published: 24/06/2019Updated: 25 June 2019 3:49 am

Baby allergies

The Nip Allergies in the Bub website is a one-stop-shop for parents that explains when and what foods to introduce. Credit: 7NEWS/Department of Health

Introducing foods associated with allergies can be the cause of great anxiety for mums and dads, but doing so can actually prevent a lifetime of added stress.

Parents should introduce smooth peanut butter and cooked egg in the first year of a baby's life, regardless of any allergy risk factors.

Watch the video above.

The use of hypoallergenic formula is also advised against, according to the most up-to-date health recommendations released as part of a world-first national health campaign to educate parents on how to prevent food allergies.

As part of the National Allergy Strategy, Australia’s leading allergy organisations on Monday launched the Nip Allergies in the Bub Food Allergy Prevention Project, funded by the Australian Government Department of Health.

One stop shop

It includes the Nip Allergies in the Bub website, a one-stop-shop for parents that explains when and what foods to introduce and how to recognise an allergic reaction.

“We know that parents, understandably, can be extremely apprehensive about introducing common foods associated with allergies to their babies," said Maria Said, Co-Chair of the National Allergy Strategy and CEO of Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia.

"But doing so to avoid development of food allergy can actually prevent a lifetime of added stress around leaving children at day-care or school, eating out, assessing allergic reactions for severity, and constant vigilance."

Dramatic increase

The number of children in Australia with a food allergy or food-related immune disorder has increased dramatically in the past 10 years.

In fact, in 2011 the Murdoch Children's Research Institute found as many as 10% of 12-month-old infants have a clinically confirmed food allergy, one of the highest reported rates in the world.

'Things changed in a big way after that, we got rid of all the dairy in our house.'

Jen, left, and her eight-year-old son at the launch of the Nip Allergies in the Bub website. Credit: 7NEWS

Introduce foods early

In the past, the advice has been to delay the introduction of common food allergens, such as peanuts and eggs.

But that has changed, explains Dr Preeti Joshi, consultant specialist in Paediatric Allergy and Immunology.

"The most recent evidence tells us that we actually need to be introducing these foods before the age of one to prevent allergies from developing," said Dr Joshi.

"One study found that introducing peanuts between 4-11 months of age can reduce peanut allergy in high-risk babies by about 80% cent.”

Key recommendations

Introduce a variety of solid foods once your baby shows interest (around six months of age, but not before four months)

Introduce smooth peanut butter/paste and cooked egg in the first year of life, regardless of any allergy risk factors

Hydrolysed (partially or extensively) formula (i.e. those labelled hypoallergenic or ‘HA’) is no longer recommended to prevent allergies.

There is no evidence that soy or goat’s milk formula reduces the risk of allergic disease.

Eczema

The Nip Allergies in the Bub website also offers detailed information about managing eczema, which affects one in five babies under two years of age and can be a risk factor for developing food allergies.

“Babies with eczema have a higher chance of developing a food allergy, perhaps as a result of food allergens coming into contact with their skin” Dr Joshi said.

“Eczema-affected skin is compromised – meaning it doesn’t work as effectively as a barrier – so managing eczema well in babies, if it is diagnosed, can improve the performance of that skin barrier, and may reduce the risk of food allergies developing.”

Tips for managing eczema

Moisturise your baby at least twice daily

Avoid bubble bath, soap or products containing perfume/fragrance

Avoid overheating

Use prescribed creams or ointments as directed by a doctor or health care professional.